Describe briefly about the three types of intercellular junctions of epithelial tissues.

Explanation

The specialized .junctions provide both structural and functional links between the individual cells of an epithelium. They show different types of junctions so as to serve specific needs of that tissue. They are
A) Tight junctions: These junctions between epithelial cells prevent .leakages. of body fluids. For example they prevent leakages of water into the surrounding cells in our sweat glands. The plasma membranes of adjacent cells are tightly pressed against each other and are bound together by specific proteins.
B) Desmosomes : Muscle cells are provided with "desmosomes". (anchoring junctions) which act as .rivets. binding the cells together into strong sheets. Intermediate filaments made of protein .keratin. anchor desmosomes in the cytoplasm.
C) Gap junctions: Theyprovide continuous. cytoplasmic channels between adjacent cells. Various types of ions, sugar molecules amino acids etc, can pass from a cell to an adjacent cell through .gap junctions.. They occur in many types of tissues including the .cardiac muscles. where they allow rapid conduction of impulses or depolarisation